New Delhi: Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has registered strong protest with United World Wrestling (UWW) over Phogat’s disqualification. Making a statement in Lok Sabha over the disqualification, he said that IOA president PT Usha has been directed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take appropriate action.
“Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from Paris Olympics because of being overweight by 100 gm. Vinesh was playing in 50-kg category. As per rules and regulations of UWW, weight of all the athletes across all the categories is measured every morning. Vinesh’s weight was found to be 50 kg and 100 gm, following which she was disqualified. The IOA has registered strong protest with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOA president PT Usha is in Paris…PM Modi has spoken to her and asked her to take requisite action in the matter,” the Sports Minister said.
India’s gold medal hopes were dashed on Wednesday as Vinesh Phogat was disqualified from the Olympics after being found overweight by 100 gm hours before the women’s 50kg wrestling final. The wrestler had on Tuesday became the first Indian woman wrestler to reach the gold medal bout. Before today’s shocking disqualification, she was assured of at least a silver medal but will now be coming back empty-handed.
Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification sparks ‘conspiracy’ charge
Phogat’s disqualification from Paris Olympics has sparked widespread disappointment with some political leaders alleging “conspiracy” behind the shocking turn of event.
Notably, she was at the forefront of a lengthy protest against former Wrestling Federation of India head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment and intimidation by women wrestlers. She had endured police detention, nights on the streets and a tumultus qualification process before making it to Paris Olympics.
‘Hateful conspiracy unleashed’
Reacting to her disqualification, Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala alleged that a “hateful conspiracy” has been unleashed against Phogat.
“The entire country is stunned today…Let’s not forget that this is a black day for Indian sports history. Let’s also not forget that Vinesh Phogat fought a long struggle against the Indian Wrestling Association president and PM Modi’s favourite MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who not only resorted to exploiting wrestling players but also torched them both mentally and physically,” he said.
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also made similar claims and said that the entire matter should be investigated. “This is a very unfortunate decision. Vinesh is a very good player and she has earned a name for herself in the world. It should be challenged…It should be investigated and I feel that some conspiracy has been hatched,” Hooda said.
Congress MP Balwant Wankhede sought to allege that Phogat was disqualified as she was part of the Jantar Mantar protest against the former WFI chief.
“It is very sad news for us. There is some conspiracy behind this. The entire country knows she was protesting at Jantar Mantar… she did not get justice and now if she wins, they would have had to honour her which some people might not have liked,” he told PTI.
Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav also demanded a high-level investigation into the wrestler’s disqualification.
AAP’s Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that Phogat had in April itself had warned about politics and conspiracy in the Olympic Federation. Phogat in April accused WFI chief Sanjay Singh of conspiring against her and trying to stop her from competing in the Olympic qualifiers.
“Brij Bhushan and his dummy Sanjay Singh are trying in every way to stop me from playing in the Olympics. All the coaches who have been appointed with the team are the favourites of Brij Bhushan and his team, so it cannot be denied that they may mix something in my water and make me drink it during my match?” she had posted on X.
Meanwhile, PM Modi has requested the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to explore all options to appeal against the disqualification. The Prime Minister spoke to IOA president PT Usha and asked her to explore every available avenue that might help Phogat’s case. He also urged Usha to file a strong protest regarding her disqualification if that helps Phogat.
